Entertainment Blogs

An online journal about visual art, the urban landscape and design. Mary Louise Schumacher, the Journal Sentinel's art and architecture critic, leads the discussion and a community of writers contribute to the dialogue.

Calatrava withdraws from Denver airport project

Santiago Calatrava has decided to withdraw from a major remake of a terminal at the Denver International Airport, due to a process plagued with "financial constraints, unnecessary time delays and deep divisions between the design team and program managers," according to a letter penned by Calatrava's wife and business manager, Robertina Calatrava, and obtained by the Denver Post. »Read Full Blog Post

While we strive for a lively and vigorous debate of the issues, we do not tolerate name calling, foul language or other inappropriate behavior. Please see our discussion guidelines and terms of use for more information.

While we do our best to moderate comments, we do not screen comments before they are posted. If you see a comment that violates our guidelines, please use the "Report Abuse" link to notify us of the issue.

Wow, talk about perfect timing -- this is my post from about an hour ago related to Schumacher's critique of Ground Zero rebuild. Calatrava is a con man yet the arties slobber over his "visions" and personal "aura." Add Denver to the list of cities victimized by this hack._________________

The Ground Zero rebuild sounded passable, if not inspiring, until international buffoon Calatrava showed up. Is NYC really naive enough to fall for this guy's one-trick design portfolio?

"The new transportation hub, designed by Santiago Calatrava, will usher hundreds of thousands of people into the city through a white, light-filled, cathedral-like space."

Look at Schumacher's description of Calatrava's NYC work -- sound familar? Just like walking into the Milwaukee Art Museum or ANY of Calatrava's "inspirations." Nearly all of Calatrava's most ballyhooed worldwide work looks and feels identical. EVERY one of his projects come in well over budget and past deadline. As a person, he is widely despised and dismissed by everyone who doesn't fall for his greasy Euro shtick. Yet NYC falls into the same trap Milwaukee did. Too bad he has his hand in something as historically important as a Ground Zero project.

Yes Calatrava's designs resemble each other...that is why he is in such demand! So were Frank Lloyd Wright's designs similar in many ways. He was the genious of his time...and many didn't like his works either. Time will tell Paul22.

I missed the union reference in the article too. Sounds like his design firm wanted to stick to their grand plan which was simply too much cost for Denver. I mean, that's what I got out of the article and I don't even watch CNN or drink Starbucks!

95% of companies that filed for bankruptcy never seen a union. These losers who blame unions for every economic problem would be funny if they weren't so stupid. It's always rude to laugh at stupid people. It's too bad they can't work 16 hour shifts in unsafe coal mines.

What nasty posts about this genious of a man!!! His portfolio is utterly amazing. Milwaukee is fortunate enough to have one of the most amazing Calatrava designs in the world! Next to the Sydney Opera House in Australia. He has the forsight to know if money is an issue now...why proceed ahead. He has I am positive, earned every cent of the design portfolio Denver has in their hands today. His design for New York's new train station serving those who will work in the new Trade Center, are unbelievable. Get real people, this man rises above any designer today. You are seeing a living genious create amazing places, and be so appreciative of Milwaukee's beautiful Calatrava at the Lake Front. Amen.

E-mail Newsletter

Keep up with the art scene and trends in urban design with art and architecture critic Mary Louise Schumacher. Every week, you'll get the latest reviews, musings on architecture and her picks for what to do on the weekends.